Armstrong & Getty On Demand

Episode: "Writing Crappy Poetry Doesn't Count"
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: iHeartPodcasts

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with breaking news on an NBA gambling scandal involving high-profile arrests (including a head coach and players). Armstrong and Getty dive deeply into the intersection of sports and gambling, the implications for trust in sports, and the perils of pervasive betting. The discussion branches into reflections on American culture, leadership, AI innovation, the shifting nature of work, and even relationships in the digital age. There are lively asides about historical parallels in politics, the media environment, and existential questions about purpose and productivity in a high-tech future.

The usual wit, skepticism, and open curiosity define the episode, peppered with thoughtful digressions, historical references, and humor.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NBA Gambling Scandal: Scope and Implications

• Breaking News: Reports emerge that 31 people have been arrested in an FBI investigation into NBA gambling, including Portland Trailblazers coach Chauncey Billups, Miami Heat player Terry Rozier, and former NBA player Damon Jones.
  • Key moment: “A coach. An NBA coach, right. Oh, it’s one thing to get a, you know, the backup guard for some team. I mean, that would be a giant scandal.” – Jack Armstrong (02:24)
• Cheating Mechanics: Discussion of how coaches and players could influence bets, especially with the rise of “micro-propositions” (specific in-game bets).
  • “Point shaving is the easiest way. You put in the scrubs to make sure that you don't cover the spread, for instance.” – Joe Getty (03:20)
• Pervasiveness of Gambling: Reflection on how normalized and integrated betting has become in sports culture, increasing the risk of integrity breaches.
  • “There’s so many gambling opportunities... Is it that shocking that this would happen?” – Jack Armstrong (22:40)
• Fundamental Threat: The potential danger to sports if fans doubt the legitimacy of outcomes.
  • “You can’t have a sport where people suspect the outcome might be predetermined or even tweaked a little bit.” – Joe Getty (23:15)

2. Parallels and Ironies in Media & Politics

• Media Hysteria: Armstrong and Getty lampoon coverage of White House renovations as “destruction of democracy,” comparing current outrage to previous, forgotten major renovations.
  • “Remodeling the East Wing, for God’s sake. They're adding on a ballroom. It's not a threat to the Republic.” – Joe Getty (07:06)
• Trump & Russia: They discuss Ian Bremmer’s Twitter commentary on Trump’s tough energy sanctions on Russia, challenging the “Putin’s puppet” narrative.
  • “The idea that he's somehow in Putin's pocket is the laziest trope out there, especially now.” – Quoting Ian Bremmer via Jack Armstrong (07:25)

3. Trump’s Blind Spots and the Businessman Mentality

• On Ideology: Trump's business mindset leaves him oblivious to ideological or fanatical motives (political or religious).
  • “He cannot comprehend fanaticism... He cannot comprehend religious fanaticism. And to a point, that is disturbing to me.” – Joe Getty (08:23)
• Afterlife and Regret: Amusing musings on Trump’s notion that he’s not getting into heaven, and speculation on what weighs on his conscience as a contractor in New York.
  • “Apparently he’s not acquainted with the Christian notion of forgiveness either. But those have to be some pretty good sins that you would just say, no, no, no.” – Joe Getty (10:16)

4. History Repeating: English Monarchy, Religion, and Modern Politics

• King Charles & the Pope: First time in 500 years for the King of England to pray with the Pope, with Armstrong joking about likely beheading based on historical podcasts.
  • “Just based on what I’ve listened to so far... he’s going to be beheaded by this weekend.” – Jack Armstrong (11:06)

5. Tech, AI, and the Death of Shared American Experience

• Workaholic AI Engineers:
  • Wall Street Journal reports AI researchers are working 80-100 hour weeks to win the tech arms race. Startups expect extreme dedication for astronomical rewards.
    • “We’re basically trying to speed-run 20 years of scientific progress in two years... the most interesting scientific question in the world right now.” – Quoting Anthropic researcher via Joe Getty (25:04)
• Shape of the Future Economy: Speculation on AI managing supply chains as an adaptive, self-optimizing system.
• Risk to Purpose & Society:
  • “If you eliminate the need for humans to toil, to work, to earn, to have a productive purpose... writing crappy poetry doesn't count... you will get a unanimous answer” – Joe Getty (32:01)
• Crappy Poetry as a Theme: Title reference—writing aimless poetry isn’t a substitute for real productivity or purpose.

6. American Culture: Loneliness, Creativity, and Tech Dependency

• Carl Sandburg Quote (35:31):
  • “They had loneliness and they knew what to do with it... boredom is one of the great gifts God gives mankind. Eliminate it at your peril, friends.” – Joe Getty
• Audience Engagement: Listeners write in about boredom, AI, and creative struggle.
• Hilarious Comparison:
  • "How are cats like strippers? ... They sit on your lap and make you think they love you." – Text submitted by listener (16:43)

7. Other Topics and Moments

• Chinese Influence: TikTok accused of meddling in NYC mayoral race; Armstrong & Getty warn of long-term strategic infiltration.
  • “Guarantee there are thousands of Chinese nationals in the United States right now whose sole purpose is to wait for orders.” – Joe Getty (18:29)
• AI Relationships: AI as a romantic partner—men wanting to bring chatbots into real marriages; concerns over societal impacts of virtual companionship. (27:03)
• Humor/Running Jokes:
  • Michael Jordan gambling rumors; LeBron’s “ceremonial flop” to open NBA season (Babylon Bee satire).
  • Side-discussion on caramel apples as weekend comfort food.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On NBA Gambling Scandal:

  • “A coach. An NBA coach, right... That would be a giant scandal.” – Jack Armstrong [02:24]
  • “Point shaving is the easiest way...” – Joe Getty [03:20]

• On Media Outrage:

  • “Remodeling the East Wing, for God’s sake... It's not a threat to the Republic.” – Joe Getty [07:06]

• On Trump’s Shortsightedness:

  • “He cannot comprehend fanaticism... That is disturbing to me.” – Joe Getty [08:23]

• AI and Purpose:

  • “If you eliminate the need for humans to toil... writing crappy poetry doesn't count.” – Joe Getty [32:01]

• Carl Sandburg on Loneliness:

  • Paraphrasing Sandburg: “Boredom is one of the great gifts God gives mankind. Eliminate it at your peril, friends.” – Joe Getty [35:31]

• Humor - Cats vs. Strippers:

  • “They sit on your lap and make you think they love you.” – Listener text, read by Armstrong [16:43]

• On AI Relationships:

  • "He had fallen for his chatbot named Nora and wanted to bring Nora into their marriage..." – Jack Armstrong [27:28]

• On the Great AI Sprint:

  • “We’re basically trying to speed-run 20 years of scientific progress in two years.” – Joe Getty [25:04]

Timeline of Key Segments

• [01:16-03:20] – NBA gambling scandal breaks, first reactions
• [04:16-05:49] – How cheating could play out in today’s sports gambling context
• [07:06-08:06] – Trump’s Russia sanctions and media narrative, quoting Ian Bremmer
• [08:23-10:16] – Trump’s worldview and inability to comprehend fanaticism or ideology
• [11:06-12:14] – King Charles and centuries-old religious divides revisited for laughs
• [16:43] – “Cats vs. Strippers” joke
• [17:05-17:17] – Scope of NBA gambling probe: “31 arrested in all... greatest sports gambling scandal in American history.”
• [18:09-19:01] – Chinese influence operations in the US
• [21:39-24:26] – Michael Jordan, gambling, and sports integrity
• [25:01-29:32] – AI researchers’ grueling schedules, societal risks of AI, “AI as beast”
• [32:01] – Philosophical reflection on work and purpose, “Writing crappy poetry doesn’t count”
• [35:31] – Carl Sandburg quoted on the creative power of loneliness/boredom

Takeaways

• Gambling in sports is a ticking integrity bomb as opportunities and temptations for players and coaches increase with technological advancement and betting proliferation.
• Media narratives often distort priorities, with outrage cycling between genuine issues and performative drama.
• Technology and AI are reshaping the economy and human relationships, for better and worse—raising deep questions about meaning, productivity, and social cohesion.
• Boredom and loneliness, once drivers of art and innovation, are now being squeezed out by constant stimulation and tech, with uncertain consequences.
• Armstrong & Getty blend sharp critique with self-aware humor— poking fun at their own crankiness, aging, and the relentless weirdness of the digital age.

For listeners: this episode weaves news, philosophy, sports, and social commentary in a signature, quick-witted style. It’s as thought-provoking as it is funny, especially for those reflecting on purpose and trust in a rapidly changing world.